A MESSAGE FROM KARIN SHARP, SCOTTISH GOLF COO

Scottish Golf's Chief Operating Officer, Karin Sharp, has issued out a message to everyone involved in the return of golf in Scotland.

 It reads as follows:

"What a day, we really couldn’t have asked for better weather for the return of golf in Scotland."

"Over the last few days, it has been fantastic to see the anticipation building, with many wonderful photographs and videos of courses ready for play. The greenkeepers and volunteers the length and breadth of the country are to be congratulated for their hard work, under essential maintenance guidelines in preparing for golfers to return."

"The enthusiasm and excitement to be back has been great to see and I am sure there were many golfers up with the lark this morning and heading out for a game. I was one of the lucky golfers who snagged an early tee time, I was first out at my club at 6am this morning and played a most enjoyable 10 holes in the sunshine and was home long before 8am ready for a day’s work!"

"To everyone who supports the game at a local club, from employees, committee members and volunteers, I applaud you for the significant effort that has been put in to get your club ready for opening today, employing the appropriate measures and updating your membership on the rules you have put in place to maintain the safe return to golf. The phase 1 guidelines have given the sport the early opportunity to recommence and we thank you for embracing these. Health remains the priority and we can’t take our eye off the ball in this early stage, so please keep playing your part and keep the golf course a safe place for us all to continue enjoying."

"The feedback from many clubs has been of full booking sheets and lots of new member enquiries, which is really positive and I am sure welcomed by clubs given the uncertainty that the last few months have brought. I have no doubt there will be challenges ahead across the golf industry but for now let’s enjoy the walk in the sunshine, the fine courses, the friendships and health benefits of being back out on the course and celebrate the return of golf in Scotland."

SCOTLAND GETS GREEN LIGHT TO RESTART GOLF

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has given the green light for golf to restart in Scotland tomorrow.

Last Thursday, Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced that golf would be one of the first outdoor sports activities allowed to restart under Phase 1 of the Scottish Government's Route Map out of lockdown. She also confirmed that the earliest Phase 1 would start was after the next formal review date for lifting restrictions on Thursday 28 May.

Today, at her daily briefing, the First Minister announced that the time is right to move out of lockdown. Phase 1 will start this Friday. The focus is on easing some of the restrictions on outdoor activities. With regard to playing golf, she confirmed as follows:

"In terms of sport and recreation, some non-contact outdoor leisure activities, will be allowed to restart again from tomorrow. This applies to activities where you can safely keep a two metre distance from others at all times and follow strict hygiene practices,  for example golf, tennis, bowls and fishing."

It means that, after 9½ weeks of lockdown, Scottish golf clubs can finally join the rest of Great Britain and Ireland and reopen their courses.

Scottish Golf has released a statement in response to the First Minister's announcement. It reads as follows:

"Scottish Golf welcomes the news that our golfing community will benefit from the Scottish Government’s revised guidance for exercise as we enter Phase 1 in the easing of lockdown restrictions."

"Ahead of golf's return, we have issued guidance developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, Active Scotland, sportscotland, Health Protection Scotland and key industry partners to support our clubs in preparing their facilities and we are pleased to confirm that the return of golf can now take place from Friday 29 May."

"We know that this confirmation will be well received by all of our members and will have a positive impact on the physical and mental health of golfers across Scotland in the days and weeks ahead. We hope everyone enjoys returning to the fairways and would encourage all golfers to familiarise themselves with the current guidance to ensure we can all return to playing the game safely."

To read the guidance published by Scottish Golf click on the link below:
Guidance for golf clubs and golfers returning to golf in Scotland

THE R&A CORONATION FOURSOMES IS CANCELLED

The R&A has cancelled the 2020 Coronation Foursomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will next be played in 2021.

The Coronation Foursomes was established by the Ladies' Golf Union in 1953, to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation. The team event is for women and girls and open to all members of affiliated golf clubs in Great Britain and Ireland.

Any affiliated club can run a qualifying round. The best 100 scores qualify for the Area Finals, which are held at 16 venues around Great Britain and Ireland. The winning teams qualify for a grand final at the Home of Golf, St Andrews.

The R&A has run the event since the merger of the R&A and LGU in 2017.

In a statement published by The R&A, The R&A Executive Director of Golf Development & Amateur Championships, Duncan Weir, said:

“The lockdown measures imposed by the governments in Great Britain and Ireland have meant that playing golf has been put on hold for all clubs and their members in these countries."

“It is very unlikely that clubs will be able to stage qualifying events in the near future, so we have decided that cancelling this year’s Coronation Foursomes is the only option. We are grateful to all the clubs who had previously agreed to host qualifying events and Area Finals this year and hope that they will consider being involved again in 2021."

“We will look forward to working with national associations and golf clubs again next year to inspire more women and girls of all ages to take part in this extremely popular and long established competition.”

"Further information will be provided in due course."

To read the full statement from the R&A click on the link below:
bit.ly/CoronationFoursomesCancelled

SCOTTISH CLUBS TOLD TO PREPARE FOR FRIDAY

Scottish Golf has issued guidance for all Scottish golf clubs and golfers and instructed them to prepare for a return to golf on Friday 29 May (at earliest).

This week, Scottish Golf published two documents. You can access them by clicking on the links below:

1. Guidance for Golf Clubs & Golfers on returning to golf in Scotland
To access & download click here: Guidance for Golf Clubs and Golfers

2. FAQ document for Golf Clubs & Golfers on returning to golf in Scotland
To access click here: FAQ Support Document for Golf Clubs and Golfers

In a statement, which was issued out on Thursday along with the first of those documents, Scottish Golf said:

"Following today's announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Golf is pleased to confirm that golf clubs in Scotland can begin to prepare for a return to golf on 29 May 2020 at the earliest, subject to final confirmation by the First Minister by way of an update currently planned for 28 May."

"Scottish Golf has worked with Scottish Government, Active Scotland, sportscotland, Health Protection Scotland, The PGA and key industry partners at every opportunity to produce a clear guide for all golf clubs and golfers in Scotland."

"It should be noted that a final decision will be made by the First Minister on 28 May and if any changes to the current procedures are required to align with updates provided by Scottish Government then these will be shared with you as soon as they are known to ensure re-opening plans can be updated or adjusted accordingly."

Scottish Golf also advised that:

"Scottish Golf would like to highlight that the Scottish Government continues to monitor its response to the COVID-19 outbreak closely and have not ruled out the re-introduction of restrictions which could see golf paused again if these guidelines are not being followed."

"It is therefore imperative that golf clubs take the necessary steps outlined prior to opening their courses for play and adhere to the guidelines detailed in our guide."

To read the full statement from Scottish Golf click on the link below:
https://scottishgolf.org/guidance for golf clubs and golfers

SCOTLAND IS SET TO RETURN TO GOLF... SOON

Today, Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, unveiled details of a four-phase "Route Map" towards easing the country's lockdown restrictions.

In her statement, Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed that golf would be one of the first outdoor sports activities allowed to restart under Phase 1. The Scottish Government's Route Map states as follows:

"We are planning to allow unrestricted outdoors exercise adhering to distancing measures and non-contact outdoor activities in the local area - such as golf, hiking, canoeing, outdoor swimming, angling - consistent with wider rules and guidance applicable to any activity with this phase."

The First Minister stressed that, for now, the lockdown remains in place. She confirmed that Phase 1 will not start before the next formal review date for lifting restrictions, which is Thursday 28 May, and it will only go ahead if the current progress in suppressing the virus continues. She also cautioned that not all the measures detailed in Phase 1 will start immediately. This echoes her statement on Monday, when she advised that the aim was to allow clubs to reopen their courses "within a few days" of the review date.

There may be disappointment for those that need to travel some distance to their golf club. During the questions that followed her statement, the First Minister advised that any travel for outdoor leisure and exercise in Phase 1 should be limited to "around 5 miles". As many golfers in Scotland live a lot more than 5 miles from their golf club, some further easing may be required.

Scottish Golf has released a statement in response to the First Minister's announcement. It reads as follows:

"Following positive discussions with the Scottish Government, sportscotland and the governing bodies for tennis and bowls, Scottish Golf welcomes today’s news that our golfing community will benefit from the Scottish Government’s revised guidance for exercise."

"Guidance documents containing detail on preparing facilities for the return of golf will be issued to all affiliated clubs as soon as practically possible. This will take into account details from the road map published by the Scottish Government today."

THE R&A LAUNCHES A CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT FUND

This week, The R&A launched a £7 million funding package to help golf deal the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The R&A Covid-19 Support Fund will largely be aimed at national golf associations and other affiliated bodies in Great Britain and Ireland. Each body will be responsible for controlling and allocating its share.

When The R&A Chief Executive, Martin Slumbers, announced the package on Monday. He said:

“The pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on golf and many clubs are facing dire financial situations through no fault of their own. Golf is in our DNA and we want to see the sport continue to thrive from grassroots right through to the top level on the professional tours. We have a responsibility to do what we can to help in such a crisis."

“The R&A Covid-19 Support Fund will enable national associations and other key bodies to provide support to some of their members. We know that many challenges lie ahead but club golf is the bedrock of our sport and hopefully this fund will help to begin the process of recovery.”

To read the full statement from The R&A click on the link below:
https://www.randa.org/the-randa-covid-19-fund

NORTHERN IRELAND CAN RETURN TO GOLF

The Golfing Union of Ireland has confirmed that from today golf clubs in Northern Ireland can reopen their courses for members.

Last week, Northern Ireland's Executive published its five-phase blueprint for recovery in Northern Ireland. Although the lockdown remains in place and the next formal review date is not due until Thursday 28 May, the Executive decided to allow some aspects of the first phase to start this week.

At Monday's daily Covid-19 briefing, Northern Ireland's First Minister, Arlene Foster, announced that some "outdoor activity where social distancing can occur" could now proceed. She went on to confirm that golf would be one of the few outdoor activities allowed to restart, adding:

"I know that Golf clubs will be relieved that players will be returning to their fairways"

The Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) & Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) had already published a "Protocol for the Re-introduction of Golf in Northern Ireland" at the weekend. Northern Ireland's First Minister urged everyone to stick to those guidelines.

The GUI & ILGU also stressed in their introduction to the Protocol:

"As one of the first sports to be allowed to resume, there is a major responsibility on golf clubs and golfers to ensure that our sport is conducted in a safe and responsible manner. Full adherence to the provisions of this Protocol is absolutely essential."

"It should be noted that the Executive continues to monitor the situation closely and have not ruled out the reintroduction of restrictions which could see golf clubs closed once again, if the Protocol is not followed."

Some confusion surrounded the First Minister's announcement as she had not confirmed a date for when golf could restart. In the end, it fell to the Golfing Union of Ireland to clarify that golf clubs in Northern Ireland would be able to reopen their courses from Wednesday 20 May.

Last week golf clubs in England were allowed to reopen their courses. This week golf clubs in Wales, the Republic of Ireland and now Northern Ireland are allowed to open theirs. It means that Scotland is now the only country in Great Britain and Ireland where golf courses must remain closed.

SCOTTISH GOLF RESPONDS TO FM’S ANNOUNCEMENT

Scottish Golf has released a statement in response to the announcement made by Scotland's First Minister at yesterday's daily briefing.

It reads as follows:

"Following the First Minister’s daily briefing on Monday 18 May, Scottish Golf welcomes the announcement that more detail will be shared later this week on Scotland’s road map out of the current lockdown restrictions in Scotland."

"Scottish Golf are working through final details with the Scottish Government and sportscotland to ensure that when the time is right, golf can be included in any extension to restrictions and we look forward to sharing more detail of the Scottish Government’s publication on Thursday."

THE WAIT FOR GOLF IN SCOTLAND IS ALMOST OVER

Today, Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced that golf could resume in Scotland by the 1st June.

Golf courses in England reopened last Wednesday. Golf courses in Wales and the Republic of Ireland will open today. But, as of this morning there was still no sign of when golf could resume in Scotland and Northern Ireland. That all changed at the Scottish government's daily briefing this afternoon.

Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon has made no apologies for taking a cautious approach to the coronavirus crisis, but the resumption of golf in both England and Wales has put pressure on the Scottish government to allow the game to return in Scotland.

Last week Sturgeon gave the first glimmer of hope for golf. On Friday, she confirmed that this week she would unveil plans for navigating the exit from lockdown. She also indicated that restrictions on outdoor activities would be among the first to be relaxed.

Today she confirmed that the Scottish government will publish a "route map" for easing the lockdown in Scotland this Thursday. She also confirmed that:

"Assuming that we see progress in suppressing the virus, the first phase will start start from the next formal review date of Thursday 28 May."

"Within a few days of that we will aim to allow, for example, more outdoor activity such as: being able to sit in the park; meet up outdoors with someone from another household, as long as you stay  socially distanced; some limited outdoor sporting activities like golf and fishing; the opening of garden centres and recycling facilities and the resumption of some out-door work."

For struggling golf clubs in Scotland the announcement of a re-start could not come soon enough. The good news from golf clubs south of the border is that along with the huge surge in bookings there has also been a huge surge in membership applications.

In the meantime, golf clubs in Scotland are being advised by their software providers to prepare for the reintroduction of tee times, after several clubs in England experienced problems due to the demand.

The Managing Director of Club Systems, Richard Peabody has urged all clubs in Scotland to:

“Prepare for golf, it is happening, courses in Scotland will open and it will be soon, get ready now and avoid the rush. The rush in England caused a massive strain on providers’ web servers as did sending emails at the last minute.”

Assuming the green light for golf is given on Thursday 28 May, some of the pessimists amongst us will be in no doubt that the re-start will see an end to the fair weather we've enjoyed on our daily walks. But, after more than two months of staying at home in lockdown, I'm sure that none of us will care.

ALL COUNTY JAMBOREES IN SCOTLAND ARE CANCELLED

The four County Jamborees in Scotland have become the latest casualties of the coronavirus crisis.

For those less familiar with ladies' county golf in Scotland, there are fifteen county organisations, split into four regional divisions. The North, East and West divisions have four counties each, whilst the South division has three. Each division holds an annual county jamboree to which each county in that division sends a team. The format is match-play. The county team that wins their division's jamboree earns a place in the Scottish County Finals and the chance to be crowned Scottish County Champions.

This year, the West Division Inter-county Jamboree was due to be played at Cardross Golf Club from 15-17 June, the North at Monifeith Golf Links from 13-15 June, the South at Minto Golf Club from 20-22 June and the East at Kingsknowe Golf Club from 4-6 July. Scottish Golf had arranged to host the Women's County Finals at Forres Golf Club from 28-30 August.

The first of the competitions to go was the Scottish Women's County Finals. It went from the fixture list when Scottish Golf cancelled all its competitions on the 9 April. The move came only two weeks after the government had imposed the current lockdown. It was a shock to all.

The next to go were the three county jamborees scheduled for June. With no end to the lockdown in sight, the county captains for each of the West, South and North divisions decided in turn that they had no option but to cancel. By the end of April all three jamborees had gone.

This week, the last of the county jamborees in Scotland bit the dust. As the event was in July rather than June, the East Division captains had decided to defer the decision about their jamboree for a bit longer. This week, with no real hope of the event going ahead, they bowed to the inevitable and cancelled.

This the first time since the second World War that the Scottish Women's County Finals has missed a year. This is also the first year that there will be no county jamborees held in Scotland.

WALES IS SET TO RETURN TO GOLF ON MONDAY

Wales Golf has announced that golf clubs in Wales "are permitted to open if they so wish" from Monday 18 May.

The announcement by Wales Golf was a surprise. Only two days before, as part of a joint response by UK golf bodies to the PM's announcement that golf could re-start in England, Wales Golf had confirmed that the golf courses in Wales would "remain closed for now".

The u-turn came after the Welsh Government's Director of Culture, Sport and Tourism, Jason Thomas, informed a Welsh Government committee yesterday morning:

"[The] Legal clarification is that golf courses are not included on the list of businesses or establishments that must remain closed - they have never been on that list. It's been other measures in force that has restricted the ability of the clubs to open - travel measures etc, so we have clarified this on the Welsh Government website. Do they have to be closed? No."

In a statement released yesterday afternoon Welsh Golf announced:

"Following recent Welsh Government announcements and the revision of certain Covid-19 related restrictions golf clubs are permitted to open if they so wish. It is entirely at each golf club’s discretion as to whether they choose to open and if so when they choose to do so. We would advise that clubs that do wish to re-open do not do so immediately so as to ensure they have sufficient protocols in place to adhere to these guidelines, which we will be on hand to assist with. This would allow for a managed and co-ordinated reintroduction of golf across Wales from next Monday 18 May at the earliest."

Wales Golf went on to urge all its member clubs and golfers to follow the latest guidance published by the Welsh Government for travel and exercise and the current guidelines published by The R&A for golf facilities and golfers returning to golf under Covid-19 restrictions. There was also a warning:

"If clubs or members are found to be in breach of these guidelines then it could lead to [the] Welsh Government introducing measures that force golf courses to close."

Last week, the UK Government gave golf clubs in England the green light to open from 13 May. This week, the Welsh Government and Wales Golf have given the golf clubs in Wales the green light to open from 18 May. There is no word yet on when golf clubs in Scotland and Northern Ireland can re-open.

To read the full statement from Wales Golf click on the link below:
https://www.walesgolf.org/covid-19/

SCOTTISH COURSES MUST REMAIN CLOSED FOR NOW

Scottish Golf has reiterated that courses in Scotland should not be opened before the lockdown restrictions are lifted by the Scottish Government.

This morning, Scottish Golf emailed out a statement to all its member clubs. It reads as follows:

"Following on from the Prime Minister’s announcement last night, we are writing to confirm that the position outlined by Scottish Golf on Friday, 8 May for Golf in Scotland remains unchanged. The message is still clear – Stay at home and save lives.

We remain in daily dialogue with the Scottish Government and other golfing bodies throughout the UK, to ensure that when it is deemed safe to do so in Scotland, that we are ready to support our golf clubs with a concise protocol for reopening.

We will update our membership as soon as the Scottish Government agrees a plan on a safe return to golf. Scottish Golf would like to thank all of our members for their continued support in following the guidelines in such difficult times."

To read the Statement by Scottish Golf on Friday, 8 May, click below:
https://scottishgolf.org/a-statement-from-scottish-golf-8-may-2020/

THE R&A ISSUES RESPONSE TO PM'S ANNOUNCEMENT

In conjunction with the Home Nations, the PGA and other industry partners, The R&A has released a statement in response to the PM's announcement.

It reads as follows:

"Response from UK golf bodies to PM announcement

The UK Government has announced that golf will be able to resume in England on Wednesday, 13 May 2020. All outdoor sport must be done alone or within a household group and that includes golf. There is no change to the current position in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and so golf courses in these countries must remain closed for now.

It is important to stress that this remains an extremely difficult situation throughout the UK and we are acutely aware that many lives have been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects of the virus will continue to be felt for a long time to come. As a sport we must work together to resume play responsibly as and when the relevant Government determines it is safe to do so. We must ensure that the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved from golfers, to club staff and greenkeepers is maintained at all times. Golf clubs and golfers have observed the lockdown very well and must keep it up and act responsibly as play resumes.

We recently provided documents giving guidance on operations and resuming play and golf clubs should consider this carefully as they restart their businesses. We also provided Essential Maintenance Guidelines to help greenkeepers to prepare their courses for play. We fully appreciate the huge amount of expertise that exists within golf clubs throughout the country and this best practice guidance simply aims to achieve as consistent an approach as possible to protecting everyone. We are seeking further clarification from the Government regarding other golf-related facilities.

The pandemic has already had a substantial impact on golf clubs and venues and the focus will soon turn to trying to recover from the crisis. As a group we will continue to do all we can to provide support and guidance in that effort.

These organisations have come together to help golf in the UK during the COVID-19 crisis and, through the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf, to work with Government to promote safe golf:

The Belfry; the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association; the British Golf Industry Association; England Golf; the Golf Club Managers’ Association; Golf Ireland; the Golfing Union of Ireland; the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union; IMG; The Professional Golfers’ Association; PING; The R&A; Scottish Golf; Syngenta; the UK Golf Federation; Wales Golf."

ALL SVLGA COMPETITIONS ARE CANCELLED

The Scottish Veteran Ladies' Golf Association has cancelled all of its SVLGA competitions for 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The competitions affected are: the SVLGA & English Divisions Jamboree at Glenbervie from 4-7 August; the SVLGA competitions at Blairgowrie from 21-22 September and the SVLGA Championship Finals at Blairgowrie from 27-28 September.

The SVLGA & Irish Senior Ladies' Match, at Roganston Golf Club in Dublin from 28-29 March, was called off in March.

The SVLGA AGM on 21 September will no longer be held at Blairgowrie golf club. The committee are looking at other options for hosting the meeting.

Looking ahead to next year, the SVLGA has agreed to remain as host for the Jamboree in 2021 and has already re-booked Glenbervie. The committee has also confirmed dates for the 2021 SVLGA competitions at Blairgowrie.

The current 2021 SVLGA Fixture list is as follows:

2-5 August
SVLGA & English Divisions Jamboree
Glenbervie Golf Club

19-20 September
SVLGA Championship Finals
Blairgowrie Golf Club

20-21 September
SVLGA Blairgowrie Competitions
Blairgowrie Golf Club

Details of the SVLGA & Irish Senior Ladies' Match are still to be confirmed.

CATRIONA MATTHEW AND PAUL LAWRIE TALK GOLF

Scottish Golf has posted a video of its exclusive, 30-minute, Zoom Webinar with Major Champions Catriona Matthew and Paul Lawrie.

Last Thursday, Scottish Golf’s Club Business Manager, Iain Evans hosted a Scottish Golf Zoom Webinar with special guests Catriona Matthew and Paul Lawrie. Together, they discussed a number of topics including junior golf in Scotland, their individual career highlights and how they are adapting to challenges posed by the current COVID-19 outbreak.

To watch the interview with the Major winning duo click on the link below:
https://ScottishGolf/Catriona-Matthew/Paul-Lawrie

 Iain Evans, Club Business Manager at Scottish Golf said:
“I would like to say a massive thank you to our excellent panellists, Paul and Catriona for providing all of our attendees with fascinating insight into their illustrious careers and all things golf in Scotland. We know that these are uncertain and challenging times for everyone involved in our great game and it was a pleasure to be able to bring two of Scotland’s greats together to answer questions from golf club managers and golfers across Scotland."

“Our Zoom Panel calls are providing some really valuable insights and we are delighted that we can continue to embrace digital technology during this period to bring people from across our golfing community together.”

WORLD AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELLED

The 2020 World Amateur Team Championships have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

This year's World Amateur Team Championships were due to be played in Singapore in October: the Espirito Santo Trophy for women at Tanah Merah Country Club from 14-17 October and the Eisenhower Trophy for men at Sentosa Golf Club from 21-24 October.

Yesterday, the International Golf Federation announced that Championships had been cancelled due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IGF Executive Director, Antony Scanlon, said:
“This unprecedented decision was due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty that this has caused to ensuring that the 2020 WATC could be staged successfully. But most importantly, it was made to safeguard the health and safety of all athletes, officials and volunteers at the 2020 WATC, to which there was no certainty that this risk could be mitigated to an acceptable level.”

“I would also note that we gave thoughtful consideration to postponing the Championships to 2021. However, this would have created considerable scheduling and logistical issues that were insurmountable, plus we still could not say with absolute certainty that we could hold it without risk next year. Therefore, it is preferred that the IGF look forward to focusing on and delivering a wonderful 2022 event in France.”

Dating back to 1958, the World Amateur Team Championships host up to 72 countries who compete in a 72 hole of stroke play competition. Each country fields a team of two or three players with the two lowest scores counting per round. The event is biennial and rotates among three geographic zones of the world: Asia-Pacific, American and European-African.

Although, a Scottish women's team has never managed to win a World Amateur Team Championship title, a Scottish men's team has. In 2008, the Scottish three-man side of Wallace Booth, Calum Macaulay and Gavin Deer won the Eisenhower Trophy at Royal Adelaide in Australia by nine shots from a U. S. squad made up of Rickie Fowler, Billy Horschel and Jamie Lovemark.

IRELAND IS SET TO RETURN TO GOLF IN MID MAY

The Government of Ireland has announced that all golf courses in the Republic of Ireland can open from 18 May, on a restricted basis.

On Friday, the Government of Ireland published a phased Roadmap for the re-opening of the country. Phase 1 allows for some easing of restrictions on out-door activities. From 18 May it will be possible to:

"Open outdoor public sports amenities (e.g. pitches, tennis courts, golf courses etc) where social distancing can be maintained." and "People can exercise - either on their own or in a group of no more than 4 people - where social distancing can be maintained and where there is no contact with other people."

The national governing bodies for golf in Ireland, Golf Ireland, the Irish Ladies Golf Union and the Golfing Union of Ireland, all welcomed the decision. In a joint statement they confirmed:

"In the initial stage, play will be for members only and competitions will not be permitted. We would ask clubs to refrain from opening timesheets for booking until the protocol is published, as it will contain vital information on group sizes and timesheet intervals."

"The governing bodies will also continue to work closely with the Government in the coming weeks and months to seek support for golf clubs that have been severely impacted by the Covid-19 restrictions."

"As today’s announcement only relates to golf clubs in the Republic of Ireland, the governing bodies will continue to work with the U.K. authorities and the Northern Ireland Executive to seek the safe resumption of golf for our clubs in Northern Ireland."

Mark Kennelly, CEO of Golf Ireland, said:

“The golf community in Ireland welcomes the Taoiseach’s confirmation that our clubs can reopen on a restricted basis in the first phase of the Government’s plan to ease the Covid-19 restrictions. This means that golf will be one of the first sports to resume and will give golf club members the opportunity to return to play on a limited but safe basis.

“Golf offers the potential to play a significant role in the recovery from this crisis in public health terms. Our sport provides a valuable outlet for healthy outdoor activity which can be enjoyed with the appropriate safety measures in place”.

To read the joint statement issued by the national governing bodies for golf in Ireland click on the link below:
https://www.golfnet.ie/news/golf-welcomes-government-announcement

THE R&A SETS OUT PLANS FOR A SAFE RETURN

The R&A has set out its plans for a safe return to golf, once the COVID-19 lockdown measures are relaxed.

Over the last few weeks, The R&A has been working with a range of bodies to develop guidance on how golf could be played in the UK when the government decides it is safe to begin lifting the current restrictions.

On Wednesday, The R&A published a statement that sets out its guidelines on the measures that will be required when the game returns under Cover-19 restrictions.

The guidelines for playing golf cover five main areas:
a. Course set-up
b. Before the Round
c. During the Round
d. After the Round
e. Rules of Golf-related Matters.

Industry guidelines for golf facilities have also been published.

The R&A said:

"These procedures will include all aspects of the golfing experience, from arrival in the car park shortly before the round to departure straight away on completion of the round. Golfers will be required to comply with the rules on social distancing throughout. Some temporary provisions in relation to the Rules of Golf will also be necessary to ensure safe play."

To read the full statement from The R&A click on the link below:
xxxhttps://www.randa.org/golf-in-the-uk-under-covid-19-restrictions

The guidelines formed part of a submission made this week by the R&A to the U.K. government on behalf of key golf industry stakeholders to show that golf can resume safely, provided social distancing measures are followed. The response, so far, has been positive.

Craig Tracey, The Chairman of the UK Parliament’s All-Party Group for Golf, said:

“I have been hugely impressed by the response of the different leading golf stakeholders in coming together and working to secure a coherent response to COVID-19. Members of Parliament know how valuable golf is to the UK as it has a huge economic impact, employs large numbers across the UK and has significant positive influence on people’s health.

“The initial challenges with lockdown meant golf had to close in Britain, but the nature of the game means it can, and should, return quickly provided there are steps taken by all involved to maintain social distancing and to meet any other government instruction.”

While there is yet no official date for when golf may resume in the UK, the plans prepared by The R&A and its key industry partners will help to ensure that the industry is ready when it does.

THE R&A UPDATES ITS AMATEUR EVENTS SCHEDULE

The R&A has updated its 2020 amateur championship schedule to include revised dates for the Women's and Men's Amateur championships.

Yesterday, The R&A announced that it still intends to play the majority of its amateur championships this year. Although, it was careful to stress that:

"These plans are dependent on the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and we will continue to follow the guidance from the UK Government, health authorities and our own medical consultants."

First on the updated schedule are The R&A Girls, Boys and Women’s Senior Amateur Championships, all of which remain in their original slots at the start of August.

The Woman's Amateur and Men's Amateur Championships, which were postponed shortly after the government's lockdown, are rescheduled to the same week at the end of August. Whilst, The R&A Senior Amateur Championship moves to September.

With the exception of the Curtis Cup, which has already been postponed until 2021, all of this year's international matches have been cancelled. The R&A Junior Open has also been cancelled.

The revised schedule for The R&A Amateur Championships is as follows:

11-15 August 
The R&A Girls’Amateur Championships
Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club

11-16 August
The R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship
Moortown and Alwoodley Golf Clubs

19-21 August
The R&A Women’s Senior Amateur Championship
Ashridge Golf Club

25-29 August
The Woman's Amateur Championship
Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club

25-30 August
The Amateur Championship
Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire Golf Clubs

23-25 September 
The R&A Senior Amateur Championship
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club

THE LPGA TOUR TARGETS A RETURN IN MID-JULY

The AIG Women's British Open and AIS Ladies' Scottish Open both remain on schedule as the LPGA announces its plan to restart its 2020 season.

The LPGA announced this week that it is now targeting a return to action in mid-July as its season continues to be disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The original schedule featured 34 events. At present, there will be 25 events with three out of the five women's majors rescheduled.

The 1st major in the LPGA's revised schedule is the Evian Championship at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France from 6-9 August. It retains its original dates, however, with French Government banning all sporting events until September 1, the event already looks in danger.

The AIG Women's British Open at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland from 20-23 August, now the 2nd major on the revised schedule, also retains its original slot. As does the AIS Ladies' Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in Scotland from 13-16 August, which is the only other UK tournament on the LPGA Tour.

The other three majors, the ANA Inspiration, the U.S. Women’s Open, and the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, which are normally held in April, June and July, have all been postponed to later in the year.

The LPGA did not clarify if any spectators would be allowed at its resumed tournaments, something that is likely to depend on local health and safety initiatives. On the men’s side, The PGA is targeting a return to action in mid June, but initially without fans.

The LPGA schedule for the Women's Majors is now as follows:

6-9 August
The Evian Championship
Evian Resort Golf Club, Evian-les-Bains, France

20-23 August
AIG Women's British Open
Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Scotland

10-13 September 
ANA Inspiration
Mission Hills Golf Club, Rancho Mirage, California

8-11 October
KPMG Women's PGA Championship
Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

10-13 December
U.S. Women’s Open
Champions Golf Club, Houston, Texas